2016 TOWNS Award Recognizes Eight Outstanding Filipinas

Cheers and congratulations to this year's TOWNS Awardees!

Press Release:

Eight exceptional women from various fields are recipients of the prestigious The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service (TOWNS) 2016 Award presented by TOWNS Foundation and co-presented by BDO. The TOWNS Award is conferred to outstanding Filipinas who have served as catalysts, role models and are making a positive impact on national development. The eight awardees join the ranks of past recipients including Leticia Ramos-Shahani, Flerida Ruth Romero, Esperanza Cabral, Lilia de Lima, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Teresita Ang See, Nieves Confesor, Cheche Lazaro, Lea Salonga, and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno.

TOWNS Awardees, past and present

TOWNS received over 60 nominations that were thoroughly reviewed by two (2) screening committees and the Board of Judges chaired by the Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.  The Award places primary importance on how nominees have brought pride/recognition to their community and/or the country, demonstrated pioneering zeal in their work, focused on the underserved sectors of society, introduced innovations that benefit the public, and go beyond their sphere of influence. The 2016 batch of awardees will work together on a significant project to promote the mission of TOWNS Foundation—to harness expertise to influence national issues and nurture young women leaders.

from left: Jocelle Batapa Sigue,  Lou Sabrina Saavedra Ongkiko, Aisa Alvarez Mijeno,
Marissa Arlene Andres Martinez, Luisa Mercedes Paez Lorenzo, 
Patricia Chanco Evangelista, Hidilyn Francisco Diaz, and Cherrie De Erit Atilano

The TOWNS 2016 Awardees include Cherrie De Erit Atilano for social development, Hidilyn Francisco Diaz for sports, Patricia Chanco Evangelista for Media, Luisa Mercedes Paez Lorenzo for arts, Marissa Arlene Andres Martinez for government service, Aisa Alvarez Mijeno for social enterprise, Lou Sabrina Saavedra Ongkiko for education, and Jocelle Batapa Sigue for information and communications technology. Read their individual backgrounds, here.

TOWNS Foundation, Inc. is a national organization of women who by their common shared activities help transform the lives of Filipinos. The TOWNS Awards are given every three years following a year-long nationwide search. Once selected, recipients are expected to continue their excellent work as leaders in their respective fields. Since its inception in 1974, TOWNS has cited 158 women.